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Ankara’s reaction was sparked by statements by French President Emanuel Macron that his country has taken a tough stance against Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean, drawing “red” lines, because Ankara understands with actions and not words.
“Those who believe that they have drawn a red line in the eastern Mediterranean are questioning our country’s determined stance,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Turkey, the country with the largest Mediterranean coastline, claims that both it and the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ have rights in the region.”
“If there is a red line in the region, it belongs to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots under international law,” said Turkey’s foreign minister.
“The period of defining your imperialist conciliation by drawing lines on maps is over,” Ankara said, alluding to France’s colonial past.
“Turkey is strong enough to deter anyone who tries to seize its rights and interests by developing a ‘navy’,” the statement said, referring to the French fleet in the region.
The declaration concluded that conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean must be resolved “on the basis of justice and not on the basis of provocations.”
The French president had stated on Friday that “when it comes to sovereignty in the Mediterranean, I must be consistent in words and deeds. I can tell you that the Turks only understand and respect that.” If you say words that are not accompanied by action … What France did this summer was important: it is a ‘red line’ policy. I applied it in Syria. “
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